Smithy Heritage Centre
Small village museum in a rebuilt Eccleston forge and wheelwright’s shop, with free entry at weekends and hands-on family activities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Smithy stood at the junction of Kiln Lane and Millbrook Lane in Eccleston and combined a blacksmith’s forge with a wheelwright’s workshop, supplying and repairing tools for local farms and industry. In the early twentieth century the wheelwright James Ranson owned the business and the blacksmith Thomas Hall worked for him. After Thomas died in 1919 his son Peter took over and bought the business from Ranson in 1924. Peter’s son Ellis, a farrier and blacksmith who also travelled with a portable forge, carried on after Peter died in 1957, and smithing at the site ended when Ellis died in 1989.
In the 1930s the building was taken down stone by stone to make room for a library, now Eccleston Village Hall, and was rebuilt on a smaller scale using the original red sandstone from Taylor Park quarry. Eccleston Parish Council later turned it into a museum of local history for the village.
Today the centre shows permanent displays about the forge, its tools and the trades of the wheelwright, blacksmith, farrier and farmer, together with changing exhibitions on other themes, including the Second World War. Volunteer curators gather memories and photographs from local people, especially anyone with family links to the Ranson and Hall families. The centre also lends activity boxes to schools and runs sessions for pupils.
Highlights
- Rebuilt forge and wheelwright’s shop using the original red sandstone
- Displays on blacksmithing, wheel-making and farriery
- Hands-on objects and activity packs for children
- Changing exhibitions on village and wartime life
- Virtual 3D tour of the building on the website
Permanent exhibition
- The Smithy and the village trades – Displays about the forge, its tools and the work of the blacksmith, wheelwright, farrier and farmer who served Eccleston.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Eccleston Parish Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Private out-of-hours visits for schools and groups cost £30 for 1.5 hours. |
|---|
Admission is free. Private out-of-hours visits for schools and groups can be booked for £30 for 1.5 hours.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The building is all on one level and has accessible toilets. Dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The centre describes itself as family-friendly. Activity packs around the building offer crafts, puzzles and toys, and visitors can handle real and replica objects.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The centre is on Kiln Lane in Eccleston village, with on-site parking.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
During Heritage Open Days the village hall becomes a tea room serving home-made cakes. No permanent café or shop is listed.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
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| Good to know | Guided tours run at 1pm and 3pm during Heritage Open Days. Schools can borrow themed loan boxes (£5 per week) with real and replica objects and activity packs, or book outreach and bespoke sessions or a private visit. |
